British show jumping – South West Junior Academy

S1 student Grant Smith has been horse riding for three years and show jumping for one year with his pony called George who is an Appaloosa gelding. He jumps between 70cm and 9cm jumps and has won 6 trophies and over 290 rosettes. Well done Grant and George!

Mardi Gras Celebration

On Wednesday 9th May, S1 pupils celebrated their Curriculum for Excellence Mardi Gras project with a festival of fun and crêpes tasting!

Pupils in the French classes had been busy researching how Mardi Gras is celebrated in France and around the world, and produced some excellent PowerPoint presentations for the festival.

In Art, pupils designed and made vibrant Mardi Gras masks to wear for the festival parade.

The King and Queen of Mardi Gras were Liam Elder and Shannon Carrick.

Pupils in Home Economics made some delicious crêpes for everyone to enjoy. One of the many highlights was the lively dance which P.E. teacher Mrs Ferrie taught pupils and teachers to do on the day.

S1 Pupil Council

S1 pupils have elected their class representatives for the school student council. Congratulations to Nicole Cuthill, Scott Kennedy, Jack Sommerville, Brooke Paulin, David Murphy, Jade Ferguson and Saffron Wightman.

Operation Christmas Child

Anne Parnaby, from Operation Christmas Child, is visiting the school to speak to S1 pupils about filling shoe boxes with goods to send to needy children in the Ukraine.

Mini-sagas

S1 and S2 pupils, in Ms. Borthwick’s English classes, who took part in the Mini-Sagas competition, have now received their published book. The pupils are all really excited to see their names in print.

Gothic Adventure

30 S1/2 pupils visited the Dick Institute in Kilmarnock for a drama workshop based around the 1839: Gothic Adventure exhibition. Under the direction of the drama leader Michaella Mullen pupils took part in many activities including a procession march recreating the Eglington Tournament of 1839. Everyone really enjoyed their day and thank you to Michaella for her energy and expertise.

S1 - S3 Achievers

Pupils from S1 to S3 received their certificates for 100% attendance, no late-coming and 45+ merits. Well done to them all.

No smoking Day Competition winner

Congratulations to S1 pupil Nathan Nelson who gained 2nd place in the ‘No Smoking Day Competition’ held by Doon Valley Pharmacy in Dalmellington.

New S1 strips

Congratulations to the S1 football team who have been kindly sponsored with new strips by Active Schools. Thank you to Nicola McCormick at Active Schools for her hard work and effort in getting the strips. Members of the team are Colin McDonald, David Hay, Connor Blain, Reece Higgins (Capt), Aaron Gilmore, Stewart Stirling, Ben McMurdo, Liam Graham, Sam McCrorie, David Gracie, Kieran Madden, Colin McTaggart, Josh Taylor. We all wish them every success in their future football matches.

BBC School News reporters interviewed

BBC School News Reporters Danni Cullen, Aaron Gilmore, Shania Brown, Elleis Peters and Gareth Kerr were interviewed on the radio by BBC producers in London about their school news report on First Click. The reporters are now inspired to do more reporting with Elleis keen to do a behind-the-scenes report on the Christmas concert and Shania writing to some famous authors for an interview.

New S1 pupils

Head Teacher Mr. O’Rourke is delighted that the term is off to a good start. The 1st years are settling well into school life and everyone is looking very smart in their school uniform.

Netball success

The Doon Academy S1/2 girls’ netball team finished the league on a high note. The team played Prestwick Academy at home in front of a home crowd that included Head Teacher Mr. O’Rourke. After a shaky start, the score was quickly at 2-2. Doon girls worked hard to move the ball up court where Sophie Dobbie and Jade Scott managed to net another four goals to take the score to 6-2 before half time. After swapping Nicky Fairbairn for Paige McMahon and Sophie Dobbie for Halle Fitzsimmons, the game quickly picked up pace in the second half. Our defenders, Lauren Shaw and Claire Boyd, did not allow another goal in and quickly got the ball back to our shooters. Jade Scott scored another few great goals, helped out by Halle. Well done to Annabel McTaggart who controlled the game well from her Wing Attack position and helped Varri Murdoch in centre court. The final score ended 11-2 to Doon Academy, with Halle and Jade rightly receiving joint Players of the Match. This secures the team at the top of the Ayrshire League, season 09/10. Well done to all girls who have taken part in the games this season. To go from 6th to 1st in the league, in one year, is a mighty achievement and one, which is being recognised and celebrated in school and the local community. Congratulations to the winning team and their coach Ms. Griffin.

S1 Parents Night

S1 Parents Night will be held on Wednesday 19th May 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

Football success

Congratulations to the S1 7 a side football team who took part in the S1 Bank Of Scotland Football Tournament for East Ayrshire schools. The squad made up of Paul Jamieson, Connar Halbert, Corrie Wilson, Brandon Gasson, Iain Mcwilliam, Robert Brown, William McCleary and Patrick Gilmore managed to finish second in a group of four teams. A convincing 3-0 victory, courtesy of two goals from William McCleary, one surely a contender for goal of the tournament, and one from Connar Halbert followed a spirited 0-0 draw in the first game. Unfortunately, the final game was to finish in disappointment as we lost out to a very impressive Loudon team although the 4-0 score line did not reflect the closeness of the contest. Well done to all who took part, they were a credit to the school through their performances on the park and their overall behaviour at the event. Thanks must also go to our student teacher Dale Watt for helping with his coaching expertise.

Scots language workshops

Dr. Fred Freeman, the renowned author and academic, visited the school and took S1 and S2 classes for workshops on the Scots Language. Through the medium of Burns and Scottish songs Dr Freeman gave a lively talk on the history of Scots. Pupils were able to show their knowledge and prowess of the language and they really enjoyed singing traditional Scottish songs. Whilst at the school Dr Freeman was interviewed by the BBC School News Reporters for the BBC School Report.

Netball

ü The S1 netball team had their final games of the season. Going away against Cumnock Academy, the girls were in high spirits with many who had never previously played for the school team. The first team played well, with Sophie Dobbie and Jade Scott managing to get three points for the team. Excellent defence as usual came from Claire Boyd and Lauren Shaw, who unfortunately had to exit the game early with an injured knee. Varri Murdoch took the Centre bib and alongside Paige McMahon and Raegan Heggie, did a great job in mid court. Half time saw Rachael Maxey and Hayley Mitchell come on, who both performed a sterling job. Unfortunately the Cumnock girls were just too strong for us again and the final score finished 7 – 3. The second game gave many girls who had never played before, a chance to see what playing a real game was like. Congratulations to Jane Gallacher, Carly Hay, Lauren Young, Amy Fulton and Alex Dearie who all coped admirably in their first ever game. The girls lost out 9 – 2 but put in maximum effort which was appreciated by their opponents. Player of the Match was given to Jade Scott and Lauren Shaw was awarded Player of the Year. She received her prize alongside a glorious cheer for all her hard work, determination and dedication this year. Congratulations to Lauren, who will also receive a trophy at Doon Academy’s Prize Giving Ceremony. All girls did an excellent job in their first ever netball season. They put up superb challenges against much larger schools and next season we look forward to seeing them storm up the league with all the netball experience they’ve now gained under their belts (or should that be netball skirts!). Well-done Doon Academy’s S1 Netball Team and good luck for next season!

Lightning Larry

Congratulations to the S1 and S2 pupils who performed their drama skit ‘Lightning Larry’ for the pupils and teachers of Dalmellington Primary School. The performance was a great success with some excellent singing and dancing in the show.

Cragrats

The theatre group Cragrats were in school to perform their alcohol awareness play ‘Wasted’ to all S1 pupils. The actors then held workshops to reinforce the message of the play. The BBC School News Reporters interviewed Mike Ward one of the actors and he spoke to them about his life and work.

Uniform success

Senior Management organised a snap S1 assembly and were very pleased that everyone was in full Doon Academy uniform. The pupils were rewarded with a goodie bag. Well Done to S1.

Burns Competition Winners

Well Done to all the participants in the S1/2 Burns Recitation competition. The judges, Dr. Morrall, Mrs. Skilling and Lauren Mitchell were impressed with the high standard of entries. Congratulations to runner-up Fiona Kennedy and the winner Lauren Shaw.